With a passenger capacity of 2,700 and 1,000 crew members, Dominica welcomed the cruise ship, Mein Schiff 4, to its shores on Monday morning for the first and last time for the 2016 tourist season.
At a welcome ceremony on board the ship, Government Officials, The Discover Dominica Authority, tourism stakeholders, the ship’s captain and Tourism Minister Robert Tonge exchanged plaque and Tongue welcomed the crew members and tourists on board the ship.
In his speech, Tongue assured the visitors that the government is going to do all that it can to ensure that they have a pleasurable experience in Dominica.
“As a country, we are going to do as much as possible to ensure that you have a pleasurable experience in the Nature Island, we hope that you can get some time to enjoy the island as the government is committed to ensure that your visit here is a memorable one,” he said.
The minister urged the tourists to take time to capture the beautiful island so that they may share it with friends and family when they return home.
“We hope that the passengers can take as many pictures as possible and share to the world that Dominica is truly the Nature Island of the Caribbean,” he said. “In the nature island, you can see our beautiful mountains and rivers, our valleys, our waterfalls and hot springs.”
Tonge thanked the tourists for visiting the island and said that the government and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) looks forward to greeting the ship in the next tourist season in 2017.
The Mein Schiff 4 is a copy of its successful sister the Mein Schiff 3.
The ship measures 295 meters and has a gross tonnage of 99,500.
Dominica will welcome nine (9) new cruise ships this tourist season with inaugural ceremonies including plaque exchanges to welcome the ships.
The DDA called on tourism stakeholders as they aim to enhance the appeal of the city and cruise sites to prepare for the ships.
“DDA will continue to work with the relevant authorities to enhance the appeal of our City and cruise sites and therefore solicits the cooperation of all tourism stakeholders in ensuring a welcoming and enjoyable visit for the cruise visitors. We ask that every effort is made to ensure a safe, friendly, clean and hassle free atmosphere for cruise visitors,” the DDA said.
Town too dam dirty to invite people to that stinky place shame.. do the people in charge of the country travel to see the real world
How many of them not going back on board?
“Mien Shiff?”
It would be a good idea if the public were advised in advance of cruise ship arrivals and plan accordingly. Tomorrow, wed. 9 Nov. we expect the Azura and Celebrity Summit at the same time. With a combined max. passenger capacity of 6227. Including their respective crews the number of visitors will easily exceed 10% of our entire local population and Roseau will be congested to say the least and as a local I would avoid town for that day if at all possible.
fri. 11 Nov. – Victory I (max. passenger capacity 216
sat. 12 Nov.- Royal Princess (0.700-16.00 hrs.) (max. passenger capacity 4272)
Then nothing till monday 14 Nov. when we expect the Britannia to call again.
As the most popular news web site in Dominica perhaps DNO could adopt that advisory role. I am sure it would attract more readers.
The actual max capacity of this ship is 2,790 passengers and 1,030 crew. Questions is how may were actually on board when the ship called in Roseau? All ships are welcome of course.
Mr.Tonge the City and our Tourist sites needs to be cleaned and upgraded before asking tourist to have a beautiful time.
A pig can have a beautiful time in a pig pen….hope you don’t believe is pigs we have coming to our shores on this cruise.
Tourist need value to spend MONEY!!!!!!!
“The minister urged the tourists to take time to capture the beautiful island so that they may share it with friends and family when they return home.”
You mean the rubbish and stinky drains in Roseau….